CHARLESTON, W.Va. — University of Charleston sophomore forward Monet Saunders overpowered the post players for the West Virginia State women's basketball team in the second half on Thursday night at the Walker Convocation Center.The Golden Eagles survived a Mountain East Conference scare from their Kanawha County rivals as a result. Saunders hit a 20-footer from just inside the top of the key then added a putback one possession later as UC (13-4, 8-3 MEC) pulled away for a 65-56 win over the Yellow Jackets (5-10, 3-7) in the first of two regular-season meetings between the schools.
They meet in the regular-season finale at 2 p.m. on Feb. 28 at Eddie King Gym in Charleston.The game was tied at 47-47 when coach Adam Collins' Golden Eagles scored 10 of the next 12 points. State cut the lead to 60-54 with a chance to trim it to four with 30 seconds left, but couldn't connect on an offensive rebound.The 6-foot-1 Saunders finished with 15 points, 14 rebounds and three assists for the Golden Eagles, who badly needed a spark after a lackluster first 30 minutes.. Seven of Saunders' 14 rebounds came on the offensive end, helping UC to own a 16-4 advantage in second-chance points, making the difference in the game.
The Golden Eagles were helped by their only 3-pointer of the contest — from Deja Gibson — with 7:05 left for a 47-45 lead. Charleston came into the game third in the MEC in 3-point shooting percentage (.358), but was only 1-11.outrebounded State 32-19 in the second half.Gibson had 13 points for Charleston while Perry, who reached the 1,000-point mark for her career against Concord on Jan. 8, added 12 points.
State was led by Alexus Hobbs with 14 points and Aurreshae Hines finished with 12. Sophomore Shealyn Shafer had 12 rebounds, eight more than the next-closest teammate Hobbs, who had four.
UC returns to action Saturday to host Fairmont State at 3:00 p.m at Eddie King Gymnasium. The Golden Eagles are having a special promotion for the game as all middle school and elementary school aged childen will be admitted free with the purchase of an adult ticket.
